Bray and Kelton conquer the arena, clinching the All-Around Cowboy title at a thrilling Tucson Rodeo finale.
The week of festivities in Tucson, Arizona has come to a close with La Fiesta de Los Vaqueros (the Tucson Rodeo) ending yesterday.
With big money looming, the competitors gave it their all and several had runs fast enough and rides scored high enough to wind up in the money.
Stephenville, Texas cowboy Paden Bray and Mayor, Arizona cowboy Ketch Kelton tied for the All-Around Cowboy title due to their performances in both the tie-down roping and team roping. Both took home $6,349.
Other standouts in the team roping included Brye Crites and Ross Ashford, who were first in the average with a 9.9 second run on two head and Tee McLeod and Trey Yates who went 10.5 on two head. Jaxson Tucker and Cesar De La Cruz took first place in the first round with a 4.5 second run.
First round of the tie-down roping saw Brayden Roe take first with a 9.4 second run and Haven Meged in second with a 9.8 second run. In the second round, Quade Hiatt took first with a 9.6 second run and Dakota Felton came in second with a 9.8 second run.
In the tie-down roping finals, Shane Hanchey took first with a 10.1 second run. Second place in the finals was a tie between Cash Fuesz and Cash Hooper who both had 10.3 second runs. Shane Hanchey also took first in the average going 32 seconds on three head for a $6,078 payout. Chantz Webster was second in the average with a 32.8 second run.
The cowboy steer wrestlers mainly clocked in between 4-5 seconds. In the first round there was a tie for first place between Harley Cole and Eli Lord, both with 4.4 second runs. In the finals first place went to Stetson Jorgensen who had a 4.2 second run and second place to Jesse Brown with a 4.4 second run. Stetson Jorgensen also took first place in the average, going 8.9 seconds on two head, with Jesse Lord also second in the average with a 9.0 second run and then Eli Lord going 10.1 on two.
The timed events continued with the tight turns of the ladies of the barrel racing. Finals winners were Emily Beisel in first place with a 17.29 second run for a $1,903 payout. Katelyn Scott was in second with a 17.54 second run and a $1,427 payout. Third place went to Lisa Lockhart with a 17.57 run and a $951 payout. In the average, Emily Beisel took first with a 34.55 time, Lisa Lockhart came in second with a 34.83 time, and then Katelyn Scott with a 35.14 run.
Beutler & Son Rodeo and sub contractors Diamond G Rodeo, Powder River Rodeo, Salt River Rodeo, and Andrews Rodeo, ensured there were plenty of tough bulls and bucking horses for the cowboys to test their skills on. In the bareback riding finals, Jess Pope took first place with an 89.5 point ride on Andrews Rodeo’s Rylee’s Raisin’ Cain for a $1,650 payout. R.C. Landingham came in second with an 84.5 point ride and a $1,250 payout. Luke Thrash came in third with an 84 point ride and a $900 payout. For the average, Jess Pope came in first place with 174 points, R.C. Landingham and Daxtyn Feild tied for second place with 168 points, and Colton Clemens came in fourth with a 167.5 point total.
The saddle bronc finals were led by Kade Bruno, who earned 87 points for first place on Beutler & Son’s Rodeo’s Hammerstone. Second place was a tie between Tanner Butner, Zachary Dallas, and Logan Hay, all of whom earned 86.5 points. In the average Logan Hay and Tanner Butner tied for first with 171.5 points.
Dawson Branton came in first place with in bull riding finals when he went 88 points on Beutler & Son’s Rodeo’s Ice Shot for a $2,050 payout. Nick Tetz came in second place with an 87 point ride. Third place went to Gavin Mitchell with an 82.5 point ride. In the average, Dawson Branton came in first with a 173.5 total score and Nick Tetz came in second with a 162 total score.
The total payoff for the week was $386.838. With over hundred years of success so far, this rodeo will continue to be a fan and competitor favorite for years to come.